Air-cushion.



32 on the inner surface ofthe hollow shaft and gland l26.

Extended centrally'through the bearing member 30 is a channel 34E, and slidably mounted in said channel is a valve stein 35, having a longitudinal groove 36 through which air may pass. 39 designates a suit able packing for valve 37, which seals the groove- 3G when the valve is on its seat.'

The lower end of the valve stern 35I is adapted for engagement by la valve lifter l0 having a head. ll which is slidably mounted Within the shaft. 25; `a spring 42 being interposed between bearing 30 and,valve lifter Ll0 to hold a Cain 55, hereinafter referred to, normally on its seat 4:3.

Thevhollow shaft Q5 extends downwardly *within the cylinder, and through the central aperture '121 ot' the head 16 of the cylinder-` piston. and into the latter, Where it is pro-- vided with a piston del; n pre terahly unpacked in order that air within 'the rebound check chamber B may leak slowly past the piston and into the shalt chamber C ot the cylinder piston. 1

-ln aperture Q1 and slidahly mounted on shaft is a sleeve valve l5, and threaded on. said sleeve is a flange nut e6 for retainino` a leather valve, or the like, 4 7, against a-iialve seat 4S in head 16.

49 designates a flange on one end of sleeve valve 45, and around the latter, and interposed between' said flange and head 16, is a ,vieldinglv tensioned spring 50 holding the packing leather l? normally on its seat 48 and closing apertures 22. l f

'The hollow shaft 25 is provided with an aperture 52, through which air may pass .from chamber A, through the shaft, and into chamber C and thus maintain an equalized pressure in thecushion chambers A and C.

` the' shock.

lt is Well known, however, that after cushioning a sudden shoclgi, the vehicle re hounds under the action oi the springs, and to control this rebound l provide what l have termed a rebounl'l control chamber, which operates automatically toll wing the action et the cylinder in cushioning ehr gli,

This rebound control chamber-B. is located between the head of the cylindenpiston an dv and held in place bysuitahle packing said piston being,

the piston 44; it being apparent that when the cylinder and cylinder-piston telescope,

the rebound volume ot the chamber is enlarged and the capacity of chambers A and C is decreased, and that air contained in chambers A and C is compressed; the additional pressure in said chambers acting on the valve ring 47 to torce said ring down- IWardly.agtulnst the tension of the spring 50 and thereby uncover the conduits in the' ring body in the head of the cylinder-#pistoia admitting air to the rebound check chamber and again equalizing the pressure in the chambers, so that when the rebound occurs, the piston le will be lreturned to its normal position hy the compressed air in the chambers A and C, and rebound of the vehicle. retarded while surplus of air in chamber B leaks aast the piston lll, and the pressure in .the three lchambers is again equalized.

ln order to insure the desired 'Flexibility und resiliency and also to carry the vehicle at a predetermined height, and the four corners at the saine level under different loads, l have provided for automatiuilly increasing or decreasing the pressure to regulate the volunieol air within any of the individual Cushions This mechanism comprises, in combination with the valve stem lf2 and its head ell, a 95 cam. which is pivotally mounted in a slot 56 in the sleeve 25 and provided with a shoulder 57 that projects beyond the plane of the shaft,4 so that it will engage' the upper edge of the valve body when the cylinder 1.00 and cylinderpiston telescope suliciently to bring the parts together.

The cani is adapted when rocked on its "pivot, to engage the head lofthe valve lifter l0, raise the valve'from its seat, so that air 105 may he automatically admitted through the check plug :27 into the intake chamber and fill chambers A and C until the parts are expanded sufficiently to lift the vehicle to a normal riding height, when the sleeve valve -l'i passes out of engagement with cani and valve 3T and is permitted to regain its seat.

The valve in plug 27 is provided with a conduit which leads to a supply tank 60, 11e that may be carried on any portion of the vehicle, so as to he in condition. to supply the cushions at. all times. The cushions ou the rear, portion. of the lraine are substantially identical in construction with those 12o ron the front, except that they are preferably inverted and provided with ball and socket connection with both the body and axle-s.

ln usii'ig the device, iresuming the parts to he constructed andv sseuibled yas de- 125 scribed, and connected iti l: a, supply tank, the load ou. the cushions will collapse the latter, so that the 1' by the sleeves l5 am 'until they engage accusait l 35 and litt valve u, ed its seat to admit air to the intake chamber, troni which it iiows 'through 'the hollow shaft 25 to the chamber C and. forces the cylinder-piston outwardly untii the parts are spread vsufiicieutly to separate the cam from its engagement with the collar and allow the valve to close automatically.

With the parts in this condition, coinpressed. air within the cylinder and ,cylin- -derpiston forms a cushion that absorbs shocks encountered by the vehicle; the admission of air being suilicient to operate the piston under ordinary conditions.

In practice, with any telescopic action oi? the-cushion, the chambers A. and C are contract-ed, and the pressure increased; while chamber I6 is expanded, and the pressure reduced. When this action occurs, the pressure in chamber C equalizes with that in lchamber A. through lthe hollow piston. rod, and this in turn equalizing with pressure in chamber B through apertures 22, upon the unseating of valve i?. 4

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is':--

il. The consibination with a source of supply for compressed' iiiiid,'of a telescopic air 'spring comprising two pistons adapted for inverse variation, and forming a pneumatic rebound cushion intermediate the. two pistons.

2.' The combination with. a supply of compressed duid, or' a telescopic air spring comprisi'ngg` two pistons adapted for .inverse variation, and Yforming a pneumatic rebound ,cushion intermediate the two pistons, and

automatic means iol establishing and clos-- ing communication betweeny the said vuid' supply and yair sprinfr.

3. The combination with a supply of compressed uuid, of a telescopic air spring having two pistons adapted for inverse variations, a pneumatic rebound cushion formed by, and intermediate, the two means operable upon variation tous for supplying andreducing sure within the spring.

' 4. The combination with pressed fluid, of a telescopic air spring having two pistons adapted for inverse variations, a pneumatic rebound cushion formed by, and intermediate, the two pistons, and means operable upon variation ofthe pistons for supplying and reducin fluid pressure within the spring,- the said .means being adapted for automatically varying the pressure in order tomaintain a predetermined volume or' fluid within the said spring.

5. In a device ofthe character described an air spring adapted for sustaining a load and comprising a rebound chamber interposed between two load carrying chambers, means for supplying tluid under. pressure to of the pis- Huid prespistons, and

asupply of comvpivotaliy mounted within the rod, a normally seated valve, and means adapted tor actuatingthe cam to unseat the valve upon telescopic movement of the cushion.

7. The combination with a. load-carrying body frame and 'running gear, of'a telescopic air spring` comprising a rebound chamber interposlng two load carrying chambers, a source of supply for compressed Huid, a conduit connecting the source ot supply with one of said chambers, and a valve in said conduit adapted for actuation by variations in the load, for automatically varying the,- pressure to maintain a pr determined volume in the three chambers.

8,'A device of the comprising initial cushions, and a. rebound cushion interposed betweenthe initial cushions, all oi' said cushions being adapted for variation under` varying loads, means "for supplying a pressure medium to the cushions, and means automatically operable upon variation of position of the cushions for controlling lsaid supply means.

character described,

9. A device of the .character described,

comprising spaced initial cushions, and a rebound` cushion interposed between the initial cushions and adapted for inverse varation relative thereto, and an automatically operable valve for equalizing the pressure of the medium within the cushions irres ective oi the magnitude of variation of volume in said cushions.

comprising spaced initial cushions, and a rebound cushion interposed between the initial cushions and adapted for inverse variation relative thereto, and an automatic valve for 10. A device of the character described,`

equalizing the pressure between said cushions.

11. A device of the 'character described, comprisingtwo initial and an intermediate rebound cushionadaptedfor inverse variations, and a valve operable by increased pressure in one, of.' the initial cushions, to establish communication between they cushions, for the purpose lset forth.

l2. A device ofthe character described 'p 'm'eans for supplying air under pressure to said initial cushion,

.125 comprising initial and rebound cushions,

for actuation' upon actuation of said cushions for governing the iiow of air through l cylinder and slidablev in the hollow piston and having laterally o ening apertures above saidpiston to .'estalilish communication. betweeny the cylinder and piston chambers, and a piston on said tubular' shaft dividing the hollow piston into separate variable chambers, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination with a cylinder, of a hollowpiston slidably mounted within. the cylinder, a tubular shaft fixed in the cylinder and slidable in the piston to establish communication between the cylinder and hollow piston, a piston on said shaft divid- -ing the piston chamber into separate vari-v able chambers, and an automatic valve for establishing communication between a piston chamber and the cylinder chamber.

15. The combination with a cylinder,l of a hollow piston slidably mounted within the cylinder and having apertures for establish- Aing communication between the cylinder Yand piston chambers, a hollow shaft fixed in the'head of the cylinder and slidably projected through the piston'head, a piston on said shaft dividing the interior of the hollow ,piston into separate variable chambers,

y.and an automatic valve controlling flow of air through th apertures in the piston head.

16. The combination with a cylinder having an air supply pipe concentric with and extending into said cylinder, of means for supplying air to the interior of said cylinder through said p'ipe,a valve in said pipe for controlling the flow of air from said supply means, a hollow piston lslidably mounted within said cylinder, and having communication with said cylinder through said pipe, a piston on said pipe, yslidably mounted in said hollow piston and adapted to inclose a rebound chamber, and an automatic valve in said hollow piston for simultaneously actuating said air supplyvalve and equalizing the pressure between said cylinder, hollow piston, and rebound chamber, for the purpose' set forth.

17. The combination with a cylinder and a hollow piston having a head, of a hollow shaft con-tained within the cylinder, means for supplying air throughsaid shaft to the cylinder, avnornial-lyseated valve for controlling said supply, a cam pivotally mounted within said shaft, and a valve body slidably mounted on said shaft and movable with said piston head and adapted for f actuating said -'cam to unseat the valve, for

the purpose set forth.

18. The combination with a cylinder, of a tubular shaft mounted within the cylinder and provided .with slots, means for supply- Lacasse' ing air to said cylinder through the shafha cam pivotally mounted in the'slots, a sleeve valve slidably mounted on the shaft and adapted for engagement with the cam, and a valve lifter slidably mounted in the shaft. and adapted for engagement with the air supplying means.

19. An aifr cushion comprising a cylinder,

y a hollow piston for said cylinder, a tubular .between said solid piston and said cylinder,

and means for conducting air to said cylinder and hollow piston.

. 21. An air cushion comprisinga cylinder, a hollow piston for said cylinder, a tubular shaft rigidly mounted in said cylinderfand extending into said-hollow piston, a valve in said tubular shaft, and a cam operable by said hollow piston for openingr said valve.

, 22. An air cushion comprising a cylinder, a hollow piston with a removable head for said cylinder, a tubular shaft lrigidly mount- 'ed in said cylinder and extending through its head and into said hollow piston, a solid piston on said shaft adapted for reciprocatory movement in said hollow piston, an air inlet-valve in said tubular shaft, and a cam in said tubular shaft operable by said hollow piston for opening said valve to 'admit air under pressure in sufficient quantity to expand the parts and allow said valve to close automatically.

23. An air cushion comprising a cylinder, a hollow piston slidably mounted in and forming a chamber in said cylinder, a tubular shaft rigidly mounted in said cylinder and extending into said hollow piston, and having apertures above said piston for establishing communication between said cylinder 'and hollow piston, a solid piston on said tubular shaft slidably mounted in and dividing said hollow pistonv into two chambers, means for conducting 'air to said cylinder chamber and to one of the two chambers, and means for conducting air to and temporarily confining the same in the other of said chambers.

Q4. An air ciishion comprising a cylinder` a hollow piston slidably mounted in and forminga chamber in saidcylinder, a tubular shaft rigidly1 mounted in said cylinder and extending into said hollow pistpn, a solid piston. on said shaft for dividing said air cushion comprising a cylinder,

Leanser ing with' said Cylinder chamber and one of said piston chambers, for temporarily conning air in said piston chamber, and means for initially equalizing pressure in all of said chambers. z

25. ln anv air cushion, the combination with a hollow piston having closed and apertured ends, of a cylinder slidably mounted on said piston, a tubular` shaft rigidly mounted said cylinder and slidably mountedin the apertured end of said piston and having a laterally opening aperture located outside of said hollow piston, a solid piston on said shaft slidably mounted within said hollow piston and adapted for coperation with the apertured end of said hollow piston to' form a rebound chamber, and means for supplying air'under pressure. to said cylinder, hollow piston andrebound chamber,

26; An air cushion comprising a cylinder, a hollow .piston slidably mounted iny and forming a chamber in said cylinder, a solid piston slidably kmounted in and dividing said hollow piston into two chambers, a tubular shaft rigidly connected with Said cylinder and with said solid piston for establishing free pneumatic communication between said cylinder chamber and one oi said piston chambers, and a spring-pressed valve in said hollow piston for establishing pneu matic communication in one direction bef tween said cylinder chamber and one oil said g piston chambers.

F27. An air cushion comprising a cylinder, a hollow piston slidably mounted in said cylinder and inclosing a chamber therein, a solid piston slidably mounted in and dividing the interior of said hollow piston into piston and rebound chambers, a tubular shaft rigidly mounted in said cylinder, slidably mounted in said hollow piston and rigidly connected with said solid piston, and having :1n-aperture located outside of said hollow piston and adapted to establish communication between said cylinder chamber i and piston chamber, and an automatic valve between said cylinder and rebound chambers, said hollow piston being 'slidable in said cylinder in such manner that the volume of the vrebound chamber increases or decreases 1n proportion to the decrease or increase in vollume of the cylinder and piston chambers.

28. An air cushion comprising a cylinder,

a hollow piston slidably mounted in said -cylinder andhaving a closed end, a cup washer on the other end of said piston, a plug having a plurality of apertures threaded' into said piston and adapted to hold said l washer in functional position, an apertured valve slidably mounted in one of the aperturesin said plug, and having a lange adapted to close the other apertures in said plug, a spring for yieldingly holding said Valve in closed position, a tubular shatt rigidly mounted in said cylinder and slidably mountedl in said apertured valve, a solid piston on said tubular shaft andslidably mounted inV said hollow piston, and means for introducing air under pressure to said cylinder and hollow piston.

In testimony whereof l allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEURGE B. MAEGLY.

`Witnesses A Raam F. THOMAS,

Lara E. CoA'rs. 

